Display mounting system and method

ABSTRACT

A system and method for mounting a display or sign to a ceiling, wall or window frame includes an elongated channel having magnets that are affixed to a ceiling grid and mounting hooks or the like to suspend the sign or display from the channel. The channel includes high friction strips on a neck for engagement by a pole end gripper on a pole for mounting the channel on the ceiling while the user stands on the floor. End caps may be mounted on the channel. Mounting plates may be affixed to the ceiling or wall for magnetically engaging the channel. A wall mount channel includes an offset neck for gripping by the pole end gripper. A magnetic clip including a string for suspending a display may be mounted with the pole end gripper. An embodiment of the channel includes hooks for engaging an open girder ceiling.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/953,214, filed Mar. 14, 2014, which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a system and method formounting a sign or display, and in particular to a magnetic or hookdisplay mounting system and method.

Description of the Related Art

Signs and displays are used extensively in stores, theaters, shoppingcenters, recreational facilities, schools, tradeshows, restaurants, andother public places. Some signs are permanent signs to direct customersand others to locations within the facility, such as to exits orrestrooms. However, temporary signs and displays are frequently used todisplay information to the customers or others, such as to announce asale or a new product or service, to identifying a location of an itemor departments within the facility, or other uses.

The signs or displays are preferably mounted at readily visiblelocations within the facility. One such visible location is to mount thesign or display suspended from a ceiling. The facility may have asuspended ceiling that includes a metal gridwork or grid structure thatsupports ceiling tiles. The sign or display may be mounted to thegridwork by an employee, for example, climbing a ladder or stepping ontoa box or crate to reach the gridwork so as to affix the sign or display.The risk of falling or other injury is a very real possibility,particularly if the ladder, box or crate is set on a wet or unevenfloor, if the employee must reach beyond the safe limit of the ladder,or if other customers or displays are nearby so as to prevent an idealpositioning of the ladder, or simply if the employee is unsteady whenclimbing the ladder or atop the crate.

A known sign holding and mounting device has been provided that utilizesan elongated pole to position a sign holding and mounting channel orsign holder for attachment to a ceiling grid structure using clamps onthe sign holder to engage the grid structure or an elongated flexiblemagnet affixed to the sign holder for fastening to a ceiling grid. Thesign holder channel is held in a gripper on the elongated pole, isclamped or magnetically affixed to the ceiling grid structure using theflexible magnet strip, and is released by the gripper using a rope toopen a jaw on the gripper. The gripper can be difficult to open as aresult of high spring force on the gripper jaw and the configuration ofthe gripper. It would be an improvement over the art if the gripper jawwere easier for the user to open, while still retaining the sign holdingchannel with sufficient holding force.

The gripper mounted on the end of the pole engages the sign holdingchannel by grasping and engaging a smooth plastic surface on thechannel. The known sign holding channel may slip in the gripper as aresult of the gripper engaging the smooth plastic surface of thechannel, particularly when the channel is being moved about with a signor display suspended from it. For example, the channel and the signsuspended from it may slip out of the gripper as the sign is being movedto an overhead position at the ceiling or when the channel and sign arebeing removed from an overhead position at the ceiling. This can resultin frustration by the user, damage from the falling sign, and even arisk of injury. It would be an improvement over the art to preventslipping of the channel in the gripper.

The known sign holding channel holds the sign or display using block-endhooks mounted in the channel. The block-end hooks can slip in thechannel, such as during mounting and un-mounting of the sign or displayfrom the overhead position or when the sign is subject to wind or otherforces. Slipping of the block-end hooks in the channel may result in thesign or display becoming uneven or may even cause the sign or display todislodge or fall. It would be an improvement to prevent slipping of thesign or display from the sign mounting channel.

The known sign holding and mounting channel may become dislodged fromthe ceiling grid as a result of weak magnetic attraction between theceiling grid and the flexible magnetic strip on the channel. It would bean improvement to provide greater holding strength for the sign mountingchannel.

The known sign holding and mounting channel may only be affixed to aceiling grid of a suspended ceiling. It would be an improvement topermit a sign mounting channel to be affixed to other ceiling types. Itwould also be an improvement to permit a sign holding channel to beaffixed to a wall surface or in a window. It would be a furtherimprovement to provide ease of mounting for small or light weightdisplay elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, according to certain embodiments, provides asecure and easy-to-use system and method for mounting and un-mountingsigns and displays that permit the signs or displays to be mounted on aceiling, wall, or window frame while the person remains standing on thefloor. The system and method may use a pole-mounted gripper to positiona sign or display holding and mounting apparatus at a ceiling, wall, orwindow frame and to remove the sign or display holding and mountingapparatus from the ceiling, wall, or window frame. The gripper is easyto operate to an open position to release the sign or display holdingand mounting apparatus at a mounting location and to engage the sign ordisplay holding and mounting apparatus for removal from the mountinglocation.

The sign or display holding and mounting apparatus may include anelongated channel or holes for holding block-end hooks, hanger clips, orother mounting hardware. The elongated channel of certain embodimentsincludes grip enhancing portions that are engaged by the pole endgripper to prevent slipping of the elongated channel in the gripper.Slipping of the elongated channel in the pole end gripper is furtherenhanced by end caps that are mounted on the ends of the elongatedchannel. The end caps also block the ends of the channel to reduce thechance that a block-end hook or other hardware mounted in the channelwill slip from the channel.

The sign or display mounting system includes strong magnets that areprovided on the sign or display mounting elements for securely affixingthe sign or display to a ceiling or wall or other facility structure.Elongated channels for affixing larger signs are provided with more ofthe strong magnets, thereby providing greater holding strength, whilefewer are required for shorter channels.

The sign and display mounting system and method of certain embodimentsincludes mounting plates of a ferrous or other magnetic metal that maybe affixed to a ceiling to provide a mounting location for magneticallymounting the sign or display. For example, the mounting plate may beaffixed to a drywall ceiling using drywall screws or toggle bolts. Asingle mounting plate may be provided or a plurality of the mountingplates may be provided, for example, in a line, to provide a mountinglocation for a longer sign or display holding and mounting channel.

The mounting plates may be mounted to a wall for magnetically affixing asign, poster, or other display to the wall. The elongated holding andmounting channel may be configured for affixing the sign or display tothe wall. In certain embodiments, an elongated right angle bracket orchannel is provided that provides the sign or display suspendingportions separated horizontally from the gripper engaging portion. Incertain embodiments, the sign or display suspending portions includefriction fit or other sign gripper portions that directly engage thesign or display. The gripper engaging portion of the right angle bracketor channel may be engaged by the pole end gripper for placement at awall mounting location without the pole end gripper interfering with thesign or display suspended in the sign engaging portion. The sign ordisplay is directly engaged in the right angle bracket rather thanrequiring hooks or other hardware for mounting.

The right angle bracket or channel may have magnets mounted on thewall-facing surface for wall mounting, or may have the magnets mountedon a top surface for mounting on a ceiling or within a window recess,for example. If mounted at a window, certain embodiments of the systemand method provide a ferrous or other magnetic metal strip for mountingabove the window to which the magnets of the right angle bracket areaffixed.

The elongated channel may be mounted to an exposed girder ceiling, anopen grid ceiling, or other structure using hooks mounted on theelongated channel instead of the magnets. The elongated channel is movedinto position for hooking the hooks onto one or more of the exposedgirders by gripping the elongated channel using the pole end gripper,and may be removed using the pole end gripper as well.

The elongated channel may include a pivot to permit pivoting movementbetween an upper portion and a lower portion of the elongated channel.The elongated channel may thereby be rotated to a convenient viewingangle even if the ceiling grid or other structure from which the displayis suspended is not at the desired angle.

In certain embodiments, a magnetically mounted hanger member is providedfor affixing to a ceiling grid, mounting plate, or other metal surfaceusing the pole end gripper. The hanger member may include a string orline affixed to the hanger member from which a display element may besuspended. In addition to or in place of the string or line, hooks orother display hanging members may be provided to connect a sign ordisplay to the magnetically mounted hanger member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a person affixing a sign to orremoving a sign from a ceiling grid using an elongated pole of aladderless display mounting system according to the principles of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of a pole end gripper on the elongatedpole, the gripper being shown in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the pole end gripper engaged with asign or display holding and mounting channel of the ladderless displaymounting system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the sign or display holding and mountingchannel of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a rotatable sign or display holdingand mounting channel of the ladderless display mounting system;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a display hanging hook, inbroken view, for use with the sign or display holding and mountingchannel;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a sign or display holding andmounting channel and two display hanging hooks, in broken view;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an end cap retainer;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the end cap retainer of FIG. 8 shownaffixed to the sign or display holding or mounting channel of FIG. 4 andincluding the display hanging hook of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is an end view of the end cap retainer on the sign or displayholding and mounting channel;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rotatable sign or display holdingand mounting channel of FIG. 5 shown holding a sign;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a mounting plate for magnetic mountingof a sign or display holding and mounting channel;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of three of the mounting plates of FIG. 12mounted in a ceiling, toward which is being moved a magnetic sign ordisplay holding and mounting channel similar to FIG. 4 for mounting onthe mounting plates;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of three of the mounting plates of FIG. 12mounted on a wall, toward which is being moved a magnetic wall bracketof the ladderless display mounting system;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a magnetically mounted dangler sign ordisplay holding and mounting channel of the ladderless display mountingsystem; and

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a hook mounted ladderless sign ordisplay holding and mounting channel of the ladderless display mountingsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a person 20 affixing a sign or other display 22 to aceiling grid 24. The sign 22 is suspended from a holding and mountingchannel 26 that may be affixed to metallic members of the ceiling grid24 by magnets. The person 20 uses a pole 28 to position the channel 26so that the channel 26 may magnetically engage the metallic members ofthe ceiling grid 24. The channel 26 is held at the end of the pole 28 bya pole end gripper 30. The person 20 may release the channel 26 from thepole end gripper 30 by pulling on a rope or cord 32 to release thechannel 26 from the pole end gripper 30 and thereby leave the channel 26affixed to the ceiling grid 24.

When the person 20 desires to take the sign or display 20 down from theceiling, the person uses the pole 28 to position the pole end gripper 30at the channel 26, operates the rope or cord 32 to engage the channel 26with the pole end gripper 30, and moves the pole 28 away from theceiling to thereby remove the channel 26 from the ceiling grid 24.

The person 20 is able to install and remove signs and displays withoutthe use of a ladder, step-stool, bench, chair, crate, or other supportfor the person 20 to stand on while installing and removing the sign ordisplay 22.

FIG. 1 shows the person 20 holding the pole 28 in position with one handwhile operating the rope or cord 32 with the other hand. The person mayuse both hands on the pole 28 to move the sign to the display positionor away from the display position. The person may use one of their handsto pull on the rope or cord 32 when disengaging or engaging the channel26 from the pole end gripper 30, or may have an assistant help. The poleend gripper 30 is structured to provide a secure engagement of thechannel 26 when desired and to release the channel 26 from the gripper30 with a reduced pulling force. As will be apparent from the following,the channel 26 includes features to avoid the channel slipping from thegripper 30.

Turning to FIG. 2, the pole end gripper 30 has a barrel 34 that isaffixed to the end of the pole 28, such as by being threaded onto theend of the pole at a threaded opening 36 at one end of the barrel 34.The other end of the barrel 34 includes a first portion 38 of a grippingjaw that has a transverse portion 40 at the end of the barrel 34 and ajaw 42 extending from one side of the transverse portion 40 and curvingendwardly to a first jaw edge 44. The transverse portion 40 of theillustrated embodiment includes a plurality of parallel ribs 46,although other structures are possible as well.

A second jaw 48 includes a second jaw edge 50 that is movable toward andaway from the first jaw edge 44. The second jaw 48 is mounted on a pivotpin 52 that is secured in the barrel 34 and fastens the second jaw 48 ina slot 54 in the barrel 34. The pivot pin 52 is held in shapedprojections 56 on the barrel 34. A spring 58, shown in phantom, ismounted in the barrel 34 and bears against a portion 60 of the secondjaw 48 to urge the second jaw edge 50 toward the first jaw edge 44. Aprojection 62 of the second jaw 48 extends outward away from the barrel34 to provide an elongated lever arm. The projection 62 includes anopening 64 at which the rope or cord 32 is affixed, such as by beingknotted or formed into a loop. Pulling on the rope or cord 32 overcomesthe spring force to open the jaws for engaging and releasing a channelor mounting member. The elongated lever arm of the projection reducesthe amount of force that must be exerted by pulling on the rope 32 toovercome the spring force. Use of a strong spring 58 to securely engagethe display mounting channel is possible, while still permitting the jawto open with relatively little pulling force.

With reference to FIG. 3, the pole end gripper 30 is affixed to theelongated sign or display holding and mounting channel 26 by the firstand second jaw edges 44 and 50 engaging opposite sides of a neck 66 ofthe channel 26. The neck 66 extends between a magnet mounting plate 68to which is affixed a magnet 70 and an open channel portion 72. Themagnet 70 may be affixed to the magnet mounting plate 68 by glue,double-sided tape, screws, rivets, or other fastening means. The firstand second jaw edges 44 and 50 are shaped to extend between the magnetmounting plate and the open channel portion 72 by extending around theopen channel portion 72. The ribs 46 on the transverse portion 40prevent the jaw edges 44 and 50 from engaging around the magnet mountingplate 68 by bearing against the channel portion 72 when the pole endgripper 30 is pressed against the channel 26. The ribs 46 therebyprevent the channel 26 from being too deeply engaged by the pole endgripper 30. In place of the ribs 46, other shapes or structures may beprovided to offer this advantage.

The holding and mounting channel 26 of certain embodiments is formed ofan extruded plastic material which may be slippery, and as such may slipwhen gripped by the pole end gripper 30. In preferred embodiments, asoft, non-slippery material is provided on the neck 66 of the channel26. In the illustrated example, two strips 74 of flexible polyvinylchloride (FPVC) are provided on the neck 66. The strips 74 may be softand tacky so as to provide a high coefficient of friction between thechannel 26 and the jaw edges 44 and 50. The strips 74 prevent thechannel 26 from slipping when engaged by the pole end gripper 30. Thestrips 74 of certain embodiments are sufficiently grippy (having a highcoefficient of friction when engaged by the gripper 30) to preventslipping of the channel 26 even when a heavy sign or display issuspended in the channel 26 and while the channel 26 and sign are beinglifted overhead for mounting on the ceiling or for dismounting from theceiling. The present system and method enables a safer mounting of thesign or display, with less chance of the channel slipping from thegripper.

The strips 74 may be adhered to the channel 26 in an assembly step or ina preferred embodiment are co-extruded with the channel 26 so as to beformed bonded together with the material of the channel. The highfriction strips 74 may be used in many of the embodiments of sign anddisplay mounts or holders of the present system, including the sign anddisplay mounting channels shown herein.

Turning to FIG. 4, the sign or display holding and mounting channel 26includes an elongated body 76 that may be formed by an extrusion of aplastic or metal material. The elongated body 76 has the magnet mountingplate 68 forming a top, generally planar surface to which is mounted themagnets 70. The magnets 70 of the illustrated example are channelmagnets, each of which includes a channel 78 of steel or other ferrousmetal. Within the channel 78 are two ceramic magnets 80. The combinationof the metal channel 78 and the ceramic magnets 80 provide high magneticstrength for securing the channel 26 to a ferrous or other magneticmetal mounting location, such as a ceiling grid element. The channelmagnets holds the channel 26 and any signs or displays mounted thereonmore securely than a flexible magnetic strip affixed to the elongatedbody 76.

Two of the channel magnets are provided on the elongated body 76. Moremagnets may be provided as desired. The elongated body 76 may beprovided in a variety of lengths for holding signs or displays ofdifferent sizes. More channel magnets 70 are mounted on the elongatedbody 76 of the longer channels and fewer on the shorter channels.

As described with reference to FIG. 3, the elongated body 76 of FIG. 4has the neck 66 on which the strips 74 of high friction material areaffixed. The neck 66 may also include holes 83 by which hooks, wire,string, cord, or other display affixing means may be affixed to theelongated body 76. Two holes 83 are shown, although other numbers ofholes may be provided. The channel 26 has the open channel portion 72into which may be inserted sign and display hanging and mountingelements. The open channel portion 72 defines an open slot 82 at thebottom of the channel portion 72.

The channel 26 of FIG. 4 may be mounted in alignment with members of theceiling grid 24. It is desirable in some sign and display installationsto permit pivoting of a sign or display to a better viewing angle. Asshown in FIG. 5, the pole end gripper 30 is engaged on a pivotable signor display holding and mounting channel 84. The pivotable channel 84 hasa fixed portion 86 that has a magnet mounting surface 88 to which thechannel magnets 78 are affixed. A rotatable portion 90 is pivotablyaffixed to the fixed portion 86 and may rotate at any angle or mayremain aligned with the fixed portion. The rotatable portion includes aneck 92 at which is applied the high friction strips 74 for engagementby the pole end gripper 30 as shown. The rotatable portion also includesan open channel portion 94 in which sign and display mounting elementsmay be disposed. FIG. 5 shows that the same pole end gripper 30 may beused to mount the pivotable channel 84 as is used to mount thenon-pivotable channel 26.

FIG. 6 shows a block-end hook 96 that may be used in the holding andmounting channel 26 or the pivotable channel 84, for example. The hook96 includes a block end 98 that fits into the open channel portion 72 or94. The block end 98 includes an opening 100. An elongated shaft 102extends from the block end 98 to a hook 104. The hook 104 may be used tohold a sign or display, for example. Although the hook 104 is of aparticular shape in the illustration, other hook shapes or other sign ordisplay engaging and/or support members may be provided with a block endas well. The elongated shaft 102 may be of any length.

FIG. 7 shows the holding and mounting channel 26 on which is providedthe magnet 70 for magnetically engaging a ceiling grid, for example. Thechannel 26 has the high friction strips 74 on opposite sides of the neck66 for gripping by the pole end gripper 30. The open channel portion 72has mounted therein the block-end hook 96. The block end 98 is insertedinto the open channel portion 72 and is slid along the channel to anydesired position. A single block-end hook 96 may be positioned in thechannel 26 to hold the sign or display, but more typically two of theblock-end hooks 96 are provided, usually positioned near the oppositeends of the channel 26 to support opposing corners of the display orsign 22. Of course, more of the hooks may be provided as needed, forexample, to support a middle of the sign or display.

The block-end hooks 96 are provided in different lengths so that it ispossible to hang the sign or display 22 lower or higher as desired. Ifthe user wishes to hang the sign or display 22 lower from the ceilingthan is possible with the longest hooks available, the block-end hooks96 may be linked to one another to provide a sign support of greaterlength. In FIG. 7, a second block-end hook 96 is hooked onto the firstblock-end hook 96 by passing the hook portion 104 of the upper block-endhook 96 through the hole 100 in the block end 98 of the lower block-endhook 96. As many hooks as needed may be connected together.

Other mounting mechanisms may be provided as well, including a plasticor metal hanger clip that fastens into the open channel member 72. Thehanger clip includes an opening that permits S-hooks, rings, wires,cables, cord, or other fasteners or hangers to be affixed to the channel26 for suspending a sign or display 22. In some embodiments, the channel26 includes one or more holes formed in the channel at which S-hooks,rings, wires, cables, cord, or other fasteners or hangers may beaffixed. In an exemplary embodiment, two such holes are provided, in thechannel 26, one adjacent each end of the channel 26 and passing throughthe neck 66. It is envisioned that slots, or other holes, may beprovided in any number in the channel 26 to facilitate hanging of signsand displays.

The block-end hook 96 or other device positioned in the open channelportion 72 may fit snuggly so as to remain in position while the channel26 is being affixed to the ceiling. However, the mass of the sign ordisplay 22 coupled with the movement of the assembled sign and block-endhooks and the channel as it is being moved to the display position atthe ceiling may cause the block-end hooks or other elements to slide outof the open channel portion 72. An end cap retainer 106 as shown in FIG.8 is provided to retain the sign mounting elements in the channel 26.The end cap retainer 106 includes first and second fingers 108 thatextend generally parallel to one to form a gap 110 therebetween. Thefingers 108 project from an end plate 112. The end plate 112 may beshaped or colored to be decorative. The free ends of the fingers 108 arebeveled at 114 to form a wider gap at the ends of the fingers.

FIG. 9 shows the end cap retainer 106 mounted on the sign or displayholding and mounting channel 26. The fingers 108 are positioned with thebeveled ends 114 of the fingers 108 on either side of the neck 66. Theend cap retainer 106 is pressed onto the channel 26 so that the fingers108 engage the high friction strips 74 on the neck 66. The friction fromthe strips 74 hold the end cap retainer 106 securely in place so thatthe end cap retainer 106 does not readily come off the channel 26. Ifthe channel 26 is fastened in the pole end gripper 30, the end capretainer 106 also blocks the pole end gripper 30 from slipping off thechannel 26.

The end cap retainer 106 has the end plate 112 extending to the openchannel portion 72 to block access, but more importantly to block egressfrom the open channel portion 72 by block-end hook 96 or other elementin the open channel portion. If the block-end hook 96 slips along thechannel 26, such as during installation or removal of a sign or display22, the end cap retainer 106 prevents the hook 96 from falling out ofthe channel 26. In the illustration of FIG. 9, the block-end hook 96 isin the channel 26 and is being secured against falling out by the endcap retainer 106. The hole 83 is provided in the neck 66.

Referring now to FIG. 10, the end cap retainer 106 is configured toprovide a decorative end cover for the channel 26. In the illustratedembodiment, the end plate 112 closes the open end of the open channelportion 72 and covers the gap between the open channel portion 72 andthe magnet mounting plate 68 at the neck 66. The flexible, high frictionstrips 74 are apparent on opposite sides of the neck 66.

Turning to FIG. 11, the pivotable holding and mounting channel 84 ofFIG. 5 is shown with the fixed upper portion 86 rotated relative to therotatable lower portion 90. The upper portion 86 includes five of themagnets 70 positioned at generally even spacing along its length. Thelonger channels generally have more magnets 70 than the shorter channelsto provide greater holding strength for the heavier displays and signs22 they are likely to hold. Of course, more or fewer magnets may beprovided, or magnets of other configurations may be provided. In theillustrated example, the ceramic channel magnets provide high magneticholding strength. In other embodiments of the pivotable channel and inother embodiments of the non-pivotable channel 26, for example as shownin FIG. 4, a single strip magnet may be provided in place of theseparate magnets, or another magnet configuration or mounting apparatusmay be provided.

The pivotable channel 84 rotates about a rivet 116 that connects thefixed portion 86 to the rotatable portion 90. The curved surfacesbetween the fixed portion 86 and the rotatable portion 90 flex relativeto one another to retain the rotational′ position of the two partsrelative to one another. For example, a user may affix the pivotablechannel 84 and a sign 22 suspended therefrom to a ceiling grid, and thenuse the pole 28 to rotate the rotatable portion 90 and the sign 22suspended from the rotatable portion to any desired angle, for example30 degrees from the fixed portion 86. The fixed portion 86 remains inposition affixed to the ceiling grid and the rotatable portion 90 ispivoted to provide a desired viewing angle for the sign 22. After beingmoved into the rotated position, the rotatable portion 90 remains at therotated position. The rotatable portion 90 and the sign 22 may be movedto other positions as desired.

In FIG. 12 is shown a mounting plate 118 for mounting magneticallymounted sign or display holding and mounting channels 26, for example.The mounting plate 118 is formed of a ferrous metal, such as steel orother magnetic material, and is of a thickness and size to magneticallyengage the magnets of a sign or display supporting channel. In certainembodiments, the mounting plate 118 is a circular steel plate having acentral hole 120. An anchor screw 122 is inserted into the central hole120 to hold the mounting plate 118 to a surface. In the illustratedembodiment, the anchor screw 122 is a toggle anchor for use with hollowwalls or ceilings, having an expandable toggle portion 123 capable offitting through an opening in the wall or ceiling and operable to expandonce through the hole. In another embodiment, a Zip-ALL® anchor screwmay be used with hollow walls or ceilings, such as drywall board wallsand ceilings. The central opening 120 of the mounting plate 118 is of asize to permit the head 121 of the anchor screw 122 to be generallyflush with the surface of the mounting plate 118 when the mounting plateis affixed to a ceiling or wall.

The mounting plate 118 is affixed to a ceiling or wall of a facility,such as to a drywall ceiling of a store or business. It someembodiments, it is desired that the mounting plate 118 is unobtrusivewhen mounted on the ceiling or wall, and so it is painted to match thecolor to the ceiling or wall. For example, the mounting plate 118 ofcertain embodiments is white and the head of the anchor screw is whiteas well. Of course, other colors, including contrasting colors, arepossible. The mounting plate 118 is circular in shape in the illustratedembodiment. Other shapes are possible, including square, oval,rectangular or any other shape. The mounting plate may also be a stripor other shape having multiple holes for accepting multiple anchors. Themounting plate 118 of certain embodiments is of a thickness that holdssecurely to the magnets but also has a low enough holding force torelease the magnet from the mounting plate 118 without dislodging themounting plate 118 from the ceiling or wall.

The anchor screw 122 is one example of an anchor that may be used tohold the mounting plate in place. Another anchor that may be used is aso-called toggle anchor that includes a portion of the anchor whichexpands behind or inside the hollow wall or ceiling. Any anchor, screw,fastener, or fixing means may be used, including adhesives or the like.

With reference to FIG. 13, the mounting plate 118 of FIG. 12 has beenaffixed to a ceiling 124 with two additional mounting plates 118. Themounting plates 118 are provided generally in a line at a location wherea sign or display 22 is to be suspended. The mounting plates 118 arespaced from one another approximately at the spacing of the magnets 70on the channel 26. In one example, the mounting plates 118 are mountedwith a center-to-center spacing of approximately 11 inches. Otherspacings are of course possible.

The channel 26 that is shown just prior to being mounted on the mountingplates 118 has three of the magnets 70 which will affix the sign ordisplay 22 to the arrangement of three mounting plates 118. It is notnecessary that the number of mounting plates 118 match the number ofmagnets on the channel. For instance, a shorter channel having twomagnets could be mounted on the illustrated line of three mountingplates. A fourth mounting plate could be added to the line of mountingplates, which could accommodate a longer channel having four magnets, orshorter channels with two or three magnets. It is not necessary forevery magnet on the channel to affix to a corresponding mounting plate.The channels could have more magnets than the number of mounting platesto which it is affixed.

FIG. 13 shows the pole end gripper 30 moving the holding and mountingchannel 26 into position while the person stands on the floor and neednot climb on a ladder or crate to affix the sign 22 to the ceiling. Theprojection 60 on the pole end gripper 30 enable the person to releasethe channel 26 with less pulling effort on the rope or cord 32. Thechannel 26 includes the strips 74, such as are shown in FIG. 7, toprevent the channel and sign from slipping from the gripper 30 whileoverhead, both during installation and during removal.

FIG. 14 shows the mounting plates 118 mounted in a line to a wall 126. Asign or display may be magnetically mounted to the wall 126 using amagnetic mounting channel. To facilitate mounting of a sign or displayon a wall while permitting use of the pole 28 and pole end gripper 30for placement and removal of the sign or display, a wall hanger channel128 includes a wall facing magnet mounting surface 130 to which isattached the magnets 70. The wall hanger channel 128 has a displaygripping portion 132 that directly engages a sign or display 22. Forexample, the display gripping portion 132 may be a friction fit grippingportion having two inwardly and upwardly directed wall members betweenwhich is inserted the display or sign 22 for engagement with the displayor sign 22. Other embodiments include display or sign grippers having aplurality of inwardly directed fingers that engage the display or signwhen the display or sign is inserted into the gripper. Hinged grippersare also possible, as are other grippers or holders for a display orsign.

The display gripping portion 132 that engages the display or signdirectly mounts the display or sign with the wall hanger channel 128affixed directly to the top of the display or sign. The mounting of thesign or display directly to the channel would prevent use of the poleend gripper 30 to mount the channel if a channel similar to FIG. 4 wereprovided. For this reason, the wall hanger channel 128 includes aperpendicularly projecting portion 134 that extends outward from thedisplay gripping portion in a direction generally perpendicular to themagnet mounting surface 130. The perpendicularly projecting portion 134includes downwardly projecting T-shaped portion 136 that may be graspedby the pole end gripper 30, as shown. The T-shaped portion 136 has aneck with the flexible high friction strips 74 that are engaged by thefirst and second jaw edges 44 and 50 of the pole end gripper 30 to avoidslipping of the wall hanger channel 128 in the gripper 30. The T-shapedportion 136 is but one configuration for engagement by the pole endgripper 30. Other configurations of gripping portions are also possible.

The offset positioning of the portion 136 for gripping by the pole endgripper 30 from the display or sign engaging portion 132 may be used inother embodiments of sign and display suspending or holding devices. Byutilizing the offset positioning, the pole end gripper need not graspdirectly onto the open channel portion that holds the sign or display,providing flexibility in the mounting of the display or sign to thechannel and flexibility as to whether a gap is desired between thechannel and the top of the display or sign.

It is also possible that a channel, such as the open channel portiondescribed herein, may be provided on the wall hanging channel in placeof the display gripping portion 132. The display or sign may besuspended below the channel on block-end hooks or other suspensionmeans.

The wall hanger channel 128 may be used for mounting posters to a wall126, for example, since the poster would be less likely to curl or tomove in the breeze when mounted flush against a wall surface. Othersigns or displays may be mounted on the wall as well.

The same wall hanger channel 128 may be provided with magnets 70 a alonga top surface 138, for example, the top surface formed by the horizontalextension from the display gripping portion 132 and the downwardlyprojecting T-shaped portion. When the magnets 70 a are provided on thetop surface, as shown in broken outline, the wall hanger channel 128 maybe affixed to a ceiling, such as to a ceiling grid 24 as shown in FIG.1, to a frame member at a perimeter of the ceiling grid, or to a line ofmounting plates 118 on the ceiling 124 as shown in FIG. 13. When somounted, the sign or display 22 extends up to the ceiling instead ofbeing spaced from the ceiling by a gap as a result of hanging hardware,for example, the block-end hooks 96. The magnets may be mounted oneither the side as shown at 70 or on the top as shown at 70 a, or both.

When the magnets 70 a are mounted at the top of the wall hanger channel128, the channel 128 may be used to affix a display or sign in a windowby magnetically attaching the magnets 70 a to the upper part of thewindow frame. If the window frame lacks a ferrous metal or othermaterial that will hold the magnets 70 a, the window frame may bemodified by fastening a steel or other ferrous metal strip to the upperportion of the window frame. The steel or other metal strip serves as amounting location for the magnets 70 a of the wall hanger channel 128.In certain embodiments, the steel strip is approximately 25 mm wide, hasa length corresponding to the width of the window frame or at least tothe width of the display or sign, and is held in place by double-sticktape or other fastening means.

Mounting of displays or signs in a window is not limited to the wallhanger channel 128. For example, a channel 26 that utilizes hanginghardware such as the block-end hooks 96, may also be used to mount asign or display in a window. It may be necessary to mount the ferrousmetal strip in the window frame for this application as well.

FIG. 15 shows a multi-use hanger clip, or sign or display holding andmounting channel, 140 that may be used to suspend a variety of displaysor other items from a ceiling or other surface. The hanger clip 140 hasa magnet 70 affixed to a magnet mounting portion 142. A neck 144 extendsfrom the magnet mounting portion 142 to a T-shaped portion 146. The poleend gripper 30 may grasp around the T-shaped portion 146 to engage theneck 144 for holding the hanger clip 140 for placement and removal at adisplay location. The small and light hanger clip may not need the highfriction strips on the neck.

The neck 144 includes several holes 148 into which may be connectedS-hooks, sign hanging rings, wires, cables, cord, string, or othermounting means for suspending a sign or display from the clip 140. Belowthe T-shaped portion 146 is provided a string winding portion 150 onwhich may be wound a string or line, such as the string 152. The stringwinding portion 150 has notches 154 to hold the string 152 when woundthereon. Slots 156 are provided into which a free end of the string 152may be engaged to secure the end during storage or further use of thehanger clip 140. A string catch 158 extends from the side of the stringwinding portion 150. The string catch 158 defines a space between thewinding portion 150 and the catch for securing a portion of the string152 so that the free end of the string 152 hangs below a center of thehanger clip 140. The string 152 may have a barb 160 on the end foraffixing a display element.

A length of the string or line 152 may be unwound from the windingportion 150 so that the desired length of string extends from thehanging clip 140. The string is engaged in the string catch 158 and thedisplay element fastened to the free end of the string, such as by beingconnected to the barb or by tying the string to the display element orotherwise. The hanger clip 140 may thereby be positioned at the desireddisplay location with the display element dangling beneath the hangerclip 140 on the string 152. Small displays, such as tags, greetingcards, postcards, mobiles, or other displays may be mounted on a ceilingfor dangling display without the use of a ladder, using the pole endgripper 30 to affix and remove the hanger clip 140.

Turning to FIG. 16, a sign or display holding and mounting channel 26 his provided with first and second hooks 162 that are affixed to themounting plate 68 of the channel 26 h. The mounting plate 68 may begenerally the same as the magnet mounting plate 68 for embodiments thatutilize the magnets instead of hooks. Each hook 162 includes a footplate 164 that is fastened to the channel 26 h. The foot plate 164 mayhave holes 168 in it for mounting to the channel using screws or otherfastening means. In certain embodiments, the hooks are glued or taped,for example using double stick tape, to the channel 26 h. More or fewerhooks 162 may be provided on a shorter or longer channel 26 h. After asign or display is fastened to the channel 26 h, the channel 26 h isengaged by the pole end gripper 30, as shown in FIG. 1, including bygripping the high friction strips 74 at the neck 170 of the channel 26h, and the channel 26 h is lifted into position to engage a girder 166of an open girder ceiling. The pole end gripper 30 is released from thechannel 26 h by pulling the rope 32. The neck 170 may have holes 172 bywhich hooks, cord, wire or other fasteners may be affixed to the channel26 h. The sign or display is thereby hung from a girder 166 of an opengirder ceiling. The sign or display may be removed using the pole endgripper 30 as well, all without requiring that the person climb a ladderto affix or remove the display or sign.

The hooks 162 may be provided on the pivotable channel 84 so that thedisplay or sign may be rotated to a different viewing angle and notlimited by the orientation of the girders in the open girder ceiling.Both the pivotable channel and the channel 26 h may be provided invarious lengths to accommodate different sizes of signs or displays.

The channels of certain embodiments may be provided in a variety oflengths. One example provides channel lengths of 14 inches, 26 inches,36 inches and 48 inches.

Although other modifications and changes may be suggested by thoseskilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventor to embody withinthe patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as reasonablyand properly come within the scope of his contribution to the art.

I claim:
 1. A system for mounting a sign or display, comprising: anelongated channel having a sign or display holding portion, theelongated channel including first and second planar members extendinglongitudinally of the elongated channel and parallel to one another, athird planar neck member extending longitudinally of the elongatedchannel and perpendicular to the first and second planar members, thethird planar neck member extending between the first and second planarmembers, the third planar neck member having first and second oppositesides; first and second strips of high friction material affixed on thefirst and second opposing sides of the third planar neck member, thefirst and second strips of high friction material being only on thethird planar neck member, the first and second planar members being freeof the high friction material; an elongated pole; a gripper on theelongated pole, the gripper having first and second jaw edges configuredto selectively engage the third planar neck member of the elongatedchannel, the first and second jaw edges contacting the first and secondstrips of high friction material, the gripper being selectively operableto release the elongated channel from the gripper; a projecting portionextending from the sign or display holding portion in a lateraldirection relative to an elongated dimension of the elongated channel,the projecting portion including the first planar member; a gripperengagement portion shaped for gripping by a gripper, the gripperengagement portion including the second planar member and the thirdplanar neck member, the gripper engagement portion being connected tothe projecting portion, the gripper engagement portion being spaced fromthe sign or display holding portion in the lateral direction so that agripper may grip the gripper engagement portion without also grippingthe sign or display holding portion, and wherein the sign or displayholding portion is offset from the gripper engagement portion with theprojecting portion extending between the sign or display holding portionand the gripper engagement portion.
 2. A system for mounting a sign ordisplay, comprising: an elongated channel having a sign or displayholding portion, the elongated channel including a neck; first andsecond strips of high friction material affixed on opposing sides of theneck, the first and second strips being on outwardly facing surfaces ofthe neck; an elongated pole; a gripper on the elongated pole, thegripper having first and second jaw edges configured to selectivelyengage the neck of the elongated channel, the first and second jaw edgescontacting the first and second strips of high friction material, thegripper being selectively operable to release the elongated channel fromthe gripper; and an end cap retainer affixed to an end of the elongatedchannel, the end cap retainer including first and second fingersdefining a space between the first and second fingers, the first andsecond fingers being positioned on opposite sides of the neck andbearing against the first and second strips of high friction material.3. A system for mounting a sign or display, comprising: an elongatedchannel having a sign or display holding portion and a magnet mountingportion; at least one magnet mounted on the magnet mounting portion; atleast one mounting plate mounted at a building surface wherein thebuilding surface is one of a wall surface, a ceiling surface, a windowframe surface, or a window surface, the at least one mounting plateincluding a front surface and a back surface, the back surface of the atleast one mounting plate being fastened at the building surface, the atleast one mounting plate including a magnetically attractive material,the at least one magnet of the elongated channel being magneticallyengaged with the at least one mounting plate to mount the elongatedchannel to the building surface; a fastener connecting the mountingplate at the building surface; a projecting portion extending from thesign or display holding portion in a lateral direction relative to anelongated dimension of the elongated channel; a gripper engagementportion shaped for gripping by a gripper, the gripper engagement portionbeing connected to the projecting portion, the gripper engagementportion being spaced from the sign or display holding portion in thelateral direction so that a gripper may grip the gripper engagementportion without also gripping the sign or display holding portion, andwherein the sign or display holding portion is offset from the gripperengagement portion with the projecting portion extending between thesign or display holding portion and the gripper engagement portion.
 4. Asystem as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one mounting plate isaffixed to a ceiling surface of a building.
 5. A system as claimed inclaim 3, wherein the at least one mounting plate is affixed to a wallsurface of a building.
 6. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the atleast one mounting plate includes a plurality of mounting plates affixedto the building surface substantially in a line, and wherein the atleast one magnet includes a plurality of magnets mounted on theelongated channel, the plurality of magnets being magnetically coupledto the line of mounting plates.
 7. A system as claimed in claim 3,wherein the at least one mounting plate includes an elongated strip. 8.A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the elongated strip is mountedat a window.
 9. A system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sign ordisplay holding portion includes a channel-shaped sign or displaygripper that directly engages an edge of a sign, poster or display. 10.A method for mounting a sign or display, comprising: affixing a sign ordisplay to a sign or display holding portion of a channel; gripping thechannel by positioning first and second jaws of a pole end gripper onopposite surfaces of an elongated strip so as to engage the first andsecond jaw on high friction strips that are mounted on the oppositesurfaces of the elongated strip, the elongated strip and high frictionstrips being spaced from the sign or display holding portion in alateral direction so that the gripper may grip the elongated stripwithout also gripping the sign or display holding portion, the sign ordisplay holding portion being offset from the elongated strip;positioning the channel at a mounting location using the pole endgripper, the gripping of the high friction strips by the pole endgripper avoiding slipping of the channel in the pole end gripper duringthe positioning of the channel using the pole end gripper; affixing thechannel at the mounting location; and releasing the channel from thepole end gripper at the mounting location so that the sign or display ismounted to the mounting location.
 11. A method as claimed in claim 10,further comprising: mounting at least one mounting plate to a surface ofa ceiling at the mounting location using a fastener, the mountingincluding inserting a fastener through a central opening of the at leastone mounting plate and into the ceiling so as to secure a back surfaceof the at least one mounting plate to an outer surface of the ceiling;and wherein the affixing the channel at the mounting location includesmagnetically engaging the channel to the at least one mounting plate atthe mounting location.
 12. A method as claimed in claim 11, furthercomprising: affixing a plurality of the mounting plates to a ceiling atthe mounting location in a line.
 13. A method as claimed in claim 10,further comprising; mounting at least one mounting plate to a surface ofa wall at the mounting location using a fastener, the mounting includinginserting a fastener through a central opening of the at least onemounting plate and into the wall so as to secure a back surface of theat least one mounting plate to the surface of the wall; wherein theaffixing the channel at the mounting location includes magneticallyengaging the channel to at least one mounting plate at the mountinglocation on the wall.
 14. A method as claimed in claim 13, furthercomprising: affixing a plurality of the mounting plates to a wall at themounting location in a line.
 15. A system for mounting a sign ordisplay, comprising: an elongated channel having a sign or displayholding portion and a mounting portion; at least one mounting connectormounted on the mounting portion, the mounting connector being operableto removably mount the elongated channel at a mounting location; aprojecting portion extending from the elongated channel, the projectingportion extending laterally relative to a dimension of greatest lengthof the elongated channel; and a gripper engagement portion shaped forgripping by a gripper, the gripper engagement portion being connected tothe projecting portion, the gripper engagement portion being spaced fromsign or display holding portion so that the gripper may grip the gripperengagement portion without also gripping the sign or display holdingportion; wherein the sign or display holding portion is offset laterallyfrom the gripper engagement portion and the projecting portion extendsbetween the sign or display holding portion and the gripper engagementportion; wherein the elongated channel is selectively mountable at themounting location using the at least one mounting connector and isselectively removable from the mounting location using the at least onemounting connector, the elongated channel being structured so that boththe mounting and the removal of the elongated channel at the mountinglocation may be performed with the gripper engagement portion gripped inthe gripper.
 16. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the sign ordisplay holding portion includes an elongated member having an openingalong one elongated side, the opening being usable for holding a sign ordisplay; wherein the projecting portion includes a planar member, theplanar member being connected to the elongated member at a side oppositethe opening, the elongated member extending from a first planar surfaceof the planar member; and wherein the gripper engagement portion extendsfrom the first planar surface of the planar member of the projectingportion.
 17. A system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the gripperengagement portion has a T-shaped cross section, the T-shaped gripperengagement portion having a base of the T connected to the planar memberand a cross-bar of the T spaced from the planar member.
 18. A system asclaimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one mounting connectorincludes a magnet, the magnet being affixed to at least one of a secondplanar surface of the planar member opposite the first planar surface orto a side of the sign or display holding portion.
 19. A system asclaimed in claim 15, wherein the sign or display holding portion isconfigured for holding an edge of a sign or display directly in the signor display holding portion, the gripper engagement portion being grippedby the gripper while the edge of the sign or display is held in the signor display holding portion.